It sounds similar to a broader pattern through most of geek culture in the last two years, as seen in the likes of Gamergate, the Sad Puppies and others. It’s a combination of collective embrace of the “right” tropes, a resistance to perceived outsiders, a tendency toward hucksterish conspiracy theories and more. It’s sad to watch on many levels, but the primary lesson is that such hardnut groups won’t change their minds because they are defined by their sense of opposition. Fortunately they’re also very small and wield far less actual influence than they believe.